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NY A09076
Bill
Status
9/12/2025
Primary Sponsor
Gabriella Romero
Click for details
AI Summary
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Creates the "New York Civil Rights Act" allowing individuals to sue any federal, state, or local official who violates their U.S. Constitutional rights while acting under color of law
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Permits recovery of compensatory damages (including emotional distress and pain and suffering), punitive damages for malicious or reckless violations, and injunctive or declaratory relief
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Awards reasonable attorneys' fees, costs, and expert fees to prevailing plaintiffs
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Preserves existing immunity defenses, allowing defendants to claim absolute or qualified immunity to the same extent as under federal civil rights law (42 U.S.C. 1983), and does not waive sovereign immunity
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Responds to narrowing of federal remedies under Bivens Supreme Court decisions by establishing a state-law avenue for constitutional claims, citing the Westfall Act's explicit carve-out for constitutional violation suits against federal employees
Legislative Description
Establishes a right of action for the deprivation of constitutional rights; provides for compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive and declaratory relief, and reasonable attorney's fees.
Last Action
print number 9076b
3/6/2026